What have you been waking up to? The day after Valentine’s day we have a New moon eclipse in Aquarius. While it was mostly visible in South America and the southern hemisphere, the effects will reverberate outwards to everyone.

In medical astrology Aquarius rules the networks of vessels that the heart pumps in to. It is an amazing network of delivering nutrients, oxygen, and hormones to the cells of our body and then returning back to our heart. Valentine’s day, the day of hearts and the color red, always happens during Aquarius season, and maybe there is something to, that during the fixed winter season of the waterbearer we draw the attention back to what makes our hearts beat, and how we express that love outwards. How do we get the various messages of our heart out to all the various parts of our body?

New moons are a time of introspection, of turning inward and intentions of healing for the next cycle. The last new moon eclipse, 6 months ago, was in heart fueled Leo. This past 6 months we have become closer to what makes our heart beat, what individually motivates us, what makes us come alive. NOW, Aquarius, comes in to organize. Aquarius separates the fluff from the facts and speaks their message to the world loud and clear. In this new moon we objectively assess our personal truth AND we recognize that our individual dreams and goals are intricately and often tied to the rest of the parts. We are not just a heart, we are not just the networks of blood vessels -- we are a vast, intricately connected system. Each part and piece is required to work together in order to keep the body and bodies alive and thriving.

This is what the Aquarius recognizes. While the shadow side of Aquarius can be rebellious for the sake of it, or concerned for humanity whilst also distinguishing that they are separate and unique from the common people. An Aquarian at their best will put those ego needs to the side.

The most fulfilling intentions around this time will be the ones that quiet the ego to better listen to the clear well of truth dwelling just below. You will let go of your desire to be right over the need to listen, you will forego your want to appear smarter and replace it with the need to sing your grievances with love and compassion. You will recognize that your voice has an immense power and that through the Aquarian gift of organizing and networking you can spread that message outwards.

Aquarius follows structure building Capricorn. In medical astrology Capricorn rules the bones and joints. Just as the bones give our bodies structure, Capricorn implements structures that continue to keep our bodies upright and intact. Capricorn is interested in longevity, not unlike the longevity of our bones, they look to sturdy and durable solutions in a world where the rules are always changing. Future-oriented Aquarius follows Capricorn to break up the structures that don’t contribute to the new vision - the larger vision that will continue to support life for each and everyone. The stereotypical Aquarian loves humanity, but is moderately annoyed by people. Aquarians look out at a system objectively and clearly see the injustices, the oppressive structures, and the various implications for the future.

During this intense eclipse time you may tangibly feel the changes and releases reverberating out of you. You may feel uncomfortable and fatigued. As we head into new territory, we’ll need time to process the massive changes happening underneath the surface. Eclipse season means we are addressing what is in the dark, what is dwelling just below. As light reveals the darkness, we can more clearly see what is no longer working for us. And we release it. What rises is released for greater healing, just as we purge illness from our body. There is the period of discomfort, but just beyond that is a rebirth -- a renewed appreciation for life, a fresh outlook, and a new vision.

In turn, you can break up the structures within you that are no longer working. How have you put yourself into a cage? How are your thought patterns, or overthought, getting in your way? Be gentle with yourself during this intense time. If you need to rest, make that your priority. If you need time to be with yourself and connect to your larger truth, take that time. Have compassion for yourself, silence all the other voices. Connect to your voice.

Offer your hope and vision with the world, come together to create a new way forward. Aquarius is yang and so they can be more action-oriented. When the inward new moon comes in the yang sign of Aquarius we may be more proactive about our self care, we may set our new moon intentions in a group, we may share the good word of self care and of loving action within our networks.

Intentions around this time are centered in looking forward and giving back.

If you are a woman you are often taught to be accommodating and to put the needs of others before your own. With this new moon you can learn to put yourself first, making sure you are sharp, clear, and aligned so that you can most effectively give back to the systems/earth/networks that keep you alive. Intentions around this time will be rooted in connection and reciprocity. Practices that connect you back to your message: taking a hike, writing a letter to yourself, a meditation practice, or even a small daily ceremony such as doing your dishes or sweeping your floor.

If all the Leo eclipse energy has left you feeling pretty connected to your message then the best intentions will be rooted in reciprocity -- How can you give back to the communities that feed you? How can you give back to the earth that gives to you each and every day? What small daily practices can you do that will improve the lives of future generations? These are the kinds of issues that the bright and shining star Aquarius concerns themself with.

If you are feeling unclear, Aquarians are often quite connected to the archetypes in the tarot. Take time for a new moon reading to help guide your intentions.

In short, Align with your truth, sing your grievances, connect with your north star, and give back. Personal healing is collective healing and collective healing is personal healing. This is your time, and our time. You got this, I believe in you.

Survival Kit: Dance, meditate, sing, be around fire, creatively express in a way that nourishes you, charge water underneath the full moon, love yourself unconditionally, be gentle on yourself, listen to your body

Cycles within cycles, a beginning and an ending, blue blood – this moon is like fire and ice. Together Leo & Aquarius rule the circulatory system – Leo the beating heart and Aquarius the network that delivers blood to the tissues – so it seems oddly fitting that the Full Blood moon would fall right in the Leo/Aquarius axis.

Blue moons happen occasionally every few years, however blue moon eclipses are much more rare. The moon is passing through the earth’s shadow causing it to glow red and orange ...

Blood -- FIRE -- Lionhearted

There is so much to cover here, so let’s start with the heart — the moon in LEO. A fixed fire, Leo rules the heart & spine, and as such Leos are known to be warm hearted, lion hearted – they radiate with a charisma and regality. Their spine stands straight and tall – they are courageous and strong.

Tomorrow’s full moon eclipse will occur in Leo. This is a follow – up, an ending, wrapping up the lessons around August’s new moon in eclipse in Leo, and it is a beginning for the next cycle. The moon’s orbit makes phases, the earth’s orbit causes eclipses. Cycles within cycles, transformation and growth, within tranformation and growth. 29 days the moon waxes and wanes, we move with her – we wax and wane, we lift our wings and we let them settle, we plant seeds, reap what we’ve sown, and we rest – It is a beautiful dance.

And then outside of that happens a larger turning, both subtle and bold transformations are happening – almost as if the monthly moons are the melody, and underneath the surface there is another song, a different beat, slowly moving through the tough obstacles — that is the greater medicine of the eclipses.

And within these eclipses the common theme has been the Leo moon. Every person works through different issues throughout the eclipses (you can look to see what house the eclipse falls in in your chart to get a better picture) – however with the center of these eclipses being around the moon in lionhearted Leo we are all working around our personal expression, creativity, individuality, and ability to shine and be seen. In a world that is feeling more and more chaotic -- we still have a need to honor our individual needs, our boundaries, and the space to find our unique voice so we can shine. With space to breathe Leo comes back to themselves and then can radiate outward as an active voice within their communities and their family.

With this moon you are really becoming clear on your place in this great big picture. You are feeling the zeal to start that project, organize, run for office, or burn down what you no longer need. It is you and the moon, you and your purpose, your power, your ability to shine. You are learning to move to the beat of your own drum. You are learning to honor your needs and boundaries, whatever they may be.

Leo is a fire sign and the medicine of fire is putting action to your words. Leo at their best is the ambassador of INTEGRITY. We put our actions where our words are, we mean what we say, we are honest and bold, we let our light shine, and we lead with our whole heart. Leo needs a purpose and while they get a bad reputation for a superficiality and love of flattery, however at their best, kind words are really only fuel and affirmation for their heart-full mission. The highest expression of Leo is to love yourself unconditionally, no excuses. Leo is fierce grace, bold expression and creativity as a spiritual and soulful act.

Blue --- AIR – Electric

The sun is in Aquarius and in order to balance this energy we see how we can use this individual power and creativity to better serve our communities. We detach from the dramatic feelings and look at things objectively. The big love of Leo carries over and now extends outwards to our human family. This is the axis of social consciousness and the larger message of this time is seeing how we can best serve ourself, our communities, and the collective at large. As the heart beats, the Aquarian networks get the message out, they organize, they form communities, they protest. Aquarius pours out the truth and breaks up the status quo.

As the moon is passing through the earth’s shadow. We are still using our shadows for deeper transformation. We’re getting better at it now, we’re seeing the growth and light that is at the other side, and with that renewed confidence and the strength of Leo we have a fresh start for a new chapter.

The combination of super, blood, blue and eclipse means this is a p o t e n t time for magic making. All that has been simmering below the surface can manifest easily right now. Listen to your body, listen to the still quiet voice within and honor what it says, and mostly have fun ^_^ Happy full moon !

New Moon in Capricorn Survival Kit: yearly planner, a dream map, a long hike, seeds to plant, the makings for that project you’ve been putting off, reinforced boundaries, a big home or office reorganize, a hand craft

Right now 6 planets are in Capricorn including Saturn and Pluto, and today the new moon joins the Capricorn party so that we can all get even just a little more serious.

This new moon feels even more special, not only because it is the first new moon of the Gregorian new year, but because it is fertile intention setting ground before a blue moon and total lunar eclipse, in just 2 weeks. If you were uncertain when the intensity of August’s eclipses would ever finally wear down – it’s finally coming. Zoom out and gaze upon the themes you’ve seen over the last 6 months. 8th house issues of intimacy, sex & money, 7th house issues of relationships & partnerships, 6th house issues of health & service – whichever it is, see those lessons resolving, a chapter closing as you come into the final weeks of healing. With Saturn and Pluto both in Capricorn we’ve already undergone an incredible, sobering, responsibility-taking, structure rebuilding and right now we can take a deep breath and appreciate our work, both inner and outer, before this last big push

The elder sign of Capricorn leads us into winter and as such it brings strength and will in the face of a colder season. Capricorn sees the weather ahead and begins to prepare. Chop the wood, shovel the snow – Capricorn doesn’t despair in the face of hard work, in fact, they kinda like it. Capricorns love their creature comforts, and can’t really do without a hand trade of some sort – knitting, baking, carving, blacksmithing – any trade you think a character in the Lord of the Rings might like to do, a Capricorn probably likes too. (Fun fact: J.R.R Tolkien was a Capricorn and we even share a birthday {January 3}) Crossing off to-do lists, overcoming obstacles large and small, looking out at a scraggly, steep terrain fills them with a steady, quiet determination that could last for decades.

As such, this new moon calls us to slow down, and take stock. It invites us to really pare away the BS and look at the heart of the matter. Take your time, start a new chapter. Identify the areas that you have outgrown – what is the next stage of life for you? Dig into the part of you that truly wants to do your best and go for it. Take the discipline and strength from this powerful time and write your masterpiece, finish that application, take that class whatever it may be.

Harness your integrity, and don’t cut corners. Capricorn peers out into the future, they are cautious, examining trends, fully aware that their actions come with consequences and responsibilities.

One of my favorite descriptions I’ve read for Capricorn is that they wear “an invisible crown”. This is funny, in part, because often times a Capricorn will do all the hard work on a project while someone else receives the glory. More so, I like it because many Capricorns carry around a subdued regality, a simple poise, and a respect for themselves that is sometimes paired with a quiet wisdom.

Capricorn is an earth sign and more often than not you will find earth (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) and water (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) spoken & written about with less enthusiasm and greater mention of shadow sides than the more fun air & fire signs. Air and fire (yang) qualities are more generally lauded in our culture that loves to start conversations and by all means do something about it. However earth and water (yin) like to take stock, they reflect, they turn inward, they nurture, they lead from true intuition, they prepare, and in a hearty Capricorn cluster – we master those qualities. A vision for a larger cultural shift would be finding a balance between these elements – to applaud quiet and rest, reflection and contemplation, turning inward and careful planning.

So, with this in heart & mind, take your time – redefine your morals & responsibilities, learn to say no if you need to. Become okay with silence. Enjoy restful pauses, the space in between the words. Trust in your abilities, put your feet on the bare earth and breathe. Enjoy this dark time for scheming and dreaming. You’ve already achieved so much!

The moon comes back to her home in the sign of Cancer. Big and bright, this moon calls us home to our intuition, to comfort and care. During this time we are more sensitive, our intuitive senses are heightened, our moods wax & wane and we find comfort and almost necessity in nurturing our homes, our bodies, the earth body. We rest from the whirlwind of the holidays.

A shadow side of this moon is that we can be so consumed by our feelings that it can be difficult to do much of anything else. Even getting this mooncast written was a bit of a push. Breathe through the big, watery, supermoon feelings to honor the need to nurture your body and safely decompress from the holidays -- and if you can, prioritize that over the Capricorn need to get back to work.

While the Gregorian new year marks a certain line in linear time, it is right amidst the final quarter of the circular astrological calendar. The astrological calendar starts and ends with the spring equinox– the first day of Aries. This has always made a lot of sense to me, because the energy to make big, lasting changes always comes to me in the spring. New Year's day comes to us during the wintery season of Capricorn – while Capricorn has the more than the wherewithal to accomplish goals and make things happen, the sign is far more about careful steps, reflection, thoughtfulness and a basic plan. In Capricorn we come down on ourselves hard, we make goals and put an enormous pressure on ourselves to accomplish them. This is why oftentimes by the time Aquarius season rolls around – January 20th – we’ve oftentimes abandoned a lot of our goals.

We are bringing in the New Year with this Capricorn energy, and the nature of dualities. Like most full moons – the full moon in Cancer is in opposition, or a complement to the sun in Capricorn. Oppositions are two sides of the same coin, they have directly opposed approaches to the same theme. With Cancer/Capricorn that axis is Home & Family, the Mother & the Father. With Capricorn we want to materially provide for our families, we want to make sure we have a stable home, resources, and savings to feel safe in the earthly world. In mothering Cancer this is inverted into intuitive water. The waxing & waning of the moon, the pull of the tides rules us, we tend our home, we make sure the plants are watered and the pets fed. We have a strong urge to stay inside, bundle up in a blanket with a mug of tea and rest. We take care of our loved ones, and we are deeply invested in their emotional world and well-being. A cancer is happiest when they have beings to nurture, this can range from loved ones to plants, to our earthly homes, to the well-being of all people.

love from a cancer & capricorn family

With this moon we can learn to mother and father ourselves. We take time to nurture ourselves and create a safe container for all the intuitive messages coming forth – this could be a bath, or time in the kitchen, this could be a blanket and the couch, morning pages. It is an intense energy and we may seek to channel it into home projects. I was gifted a remedy making kit for Christmas so I stayed up late last night making salves, infusions, and syrups as late gifts to friends. It felt both nurturing and productive, a way to imbue magic in the beginnings of winter. You can also step outside, gaze up at the moon, and begin a conversation, start or deepen a relationship.

As right now there are 4 planets in Capricorn, 2 in Scorpio, some in aspect to the Supermoon – this is an inward, serious, intense, and magical time. Scorpio continues to do that deeper work, uncovering those cobwebbed corners, digging up ghosts from our store consciousness, and Capricorn wants to acknowledge those and take responsibility. Capricorn says, "all actions have consequences." And in turn he wants to create improved structures around what is falling. If 2017 was the beginning of crumbling foundation – 2018 will be more and the strength and stamina to create something new. Capricorn rules the bones & skeleton and with the continued energy of Mars & Jupiter in Scorpio we are seeing the marrow, the bare skeleton that makes up our comfort. If the moon & planets are ingredients of a recipe than the result of this moment is the further motions of a new structure: one based on softness and care and an intuitive, holistic idea of the ways we nurture our bodies and others, and ultimately our place and care of this earth.

There is an active energy to this time. We are initiating new ways of tending to home and family, to honor your need to take care of yourself -- So rest, stay in, get cosy, and nurture all the kinds of bodies. Take good care. Xx

When the moon goes full in Mercury-ruled Gemini in near conjunction with Mercury going retrograde – all concentration goes toward our voice.

As the moon is waxing we begin to uncover the themes we will work with around the full moon, and here those themes are COMMUNICATION and TRUTH. During this time we’re combining the fiery idealism and truth seeking of Sagittarius with Gemini’s means to spread the good word. We thoroughly investigate the ideas, and effectively communicate our truth. We are curious, we investigate, we use our wits and logic. Fire and air are a beautiful combination and when you balance Sagittarius fire & Gemini air you learn to examine and communicate truth without taking things personally. Fire wears their hearts on their sleeve and air has the gift of observing ideas, feelings, and emotions objectively. Gemini takes an idea in, processes it without attachment and then assesses the truth of that idea. From this place they communicate those ideas outward. Gemini is a natural at initiating conversations, sharing ideas, creating positive communities and networks.

In the days leading up to the full moon we ground deeply into our power and today, in our support networks, in our relationships, with ourselves, we communicate from that place of inward power. If we’ve been holding onto feelings, if we’ve been experiencing blocks, if there have been words unspoken – they will begin to surface. We will use the power of this bright supermoon to push through those blocks, those things we’ve been taking the personally – and we will set them free. In this Gemini supermoon we will feel more room to grow, we will set boundaries, we will allow space for our personal freedom, for new ideas, and for new modes of being.

We also feel the need for a collective freedom – a freedom to information, to equally and fairly access and share ideas. With the conversation around net neutrality, these themes have come to the forefront.

It is important now more then ever to melt a hardened mind, to let go of attachment to old ideas, and to examine ideas for a new world with curiosity and zeal. Assess your truth and take time for that dialogue with yourself. Ask questions without an expectation for answers. With the moon squaring Neptune those answers may be foggy or hazy, still in the dream world, and our intuition may take a louder voice.

We have a tendency to bemoan Mercury retrograde, but Mercury retrograde is a fertile time for going inward. As Mercury rules communication – modes of communication, technology will break down as a cosmic way of urging (or almost forcing) us towards communicating with ourselves. It is a time to reexamine the ways we communicate, what is most effective, and what needs to change. In a system that relies fairly heavily on technology (and hilariously right around the holidays when communication, shopping, shipping, travel, and technology use are heightened) Mercury retrograde comes with frustration and challenges, as that outward expression of communication simply doesn’t always work. As difficult as it is, we can take this time for coming back to our breathing, examining our attachment to everything running smoothly 100% of the time, and being grateful for what we do have. If you are a Mercury ruled Virgo or Gemini (or Gemini/Virgo rising) you may find a bit of brain fog and your usual sharp perception and keen intellect may be a bit more scattered.

In case you hadn’t noticed, these times are wild. Each day we are jumping multiple personal & collective hurdles whilst also just trying to live our lives. We’re waking up, owning up, and seeing the structures that inform our lives in all their dark & bright fullness.

And, this --- S h a d o w W o r k – is the theme of the year, of the eclipses, and it is the theme of this new moon in Scorpio. With Scorpio we plumb to our own depths, face our demons, and then use them for greater transformation. Scorpio revels in working in the darkness, in the hidden liminal realms. Scorpio is gifted in the ability to see themselves, and everyone around them in totality – the light and dark, the joy and suffering, the soft spots, energy leaks, vulnerabilities – and it is that, that make them such masters of intuition, rebirth, and a true inward power.

Through harnessing that power we can best use the energies of this moon. Scorpio is a fixed water sign and it combines the intensity of transformation seeking, depth plumbing Pluto (and historically action-oriented fiery Mars) with the sensitivity of water. Scorpio stabilizes the autumn season. The days grow darker, the trees shed their leaves, and the strongest colors left are the blood reds of rosehips, hawthorne, and madrone berries. We use this season to communicate with our ancestors, to use divination for renewal, to grieve, to shed our skin for anew. With Scorpio we merge with oneness, we live from Spirit and intuition, everything around us is imbued with mystery & magic.

The eclipse in August launched a cycle of deep transformation– we, personally and collectively, have been continuing this deep shadow work as move through each of the signs – now with 4 planets in Scorpio we are working with the shadow sides of Scorpio – manipulations of power, sex, and our own Mars (or masculine/yang) energies. As these stories come to light we learn to balance those Mars energies within ourselves. As the Mars symbol is often used also to symbolize the masculine, the dominant culture thrives on Mars energy. The energy of Mars is classically aggressive, pushing outward, doing before thinking, competitive, and strong-headed – and when out of balance can lead to power issues, dominance over the feminine (both internally & externally, regardless of gender), possessiveness, and violence. This is a powerful time to acknowledge and balance those energies within you. Take time to prioritize resting, dreaming, and taking care of yourself and loved ones. With Uranus in the fire sign of Aries, quincunx this new moon, the people have a strong voice and actively seek to break up existing structures to make way for the new. However as Scorpio is a fixed water sign we will still be holding onto our feelings and slowly processing these changes.

Use this time to be honest with yourself. Face the issues you’ve been stashing away and use them for transformation. Put your ego needs in their place and live from spirit. Confront those issues hidden beneath the surface. Own your own personal intensity and be gentle with yourself.

This new moon is in a harmonious trine to the wounded healer Chiron in Pisces, we may feel wounds from childhood surfacing to meet the nurturing energy of the moon, easing us into healing. As this is water trine, if we’re feeling anxiety through this process -- visualizing water, spending time with water – the ocean, baths, shedding tears, and visualizing the water washing away our fear can all be a helpful.

Step into your power and live from that place. Deep healing is possible right now and renewal and strength are just on the other side.